Being a surrogate mother is an incredible and noble act. It takes a special person to provide other families with the opportunity to experience the profound joy of parenthood. And since the very nature of surrogacy is so life-changing, it is only fair that surrogate mothers get generously compensated for their dedication and selflessness.
But what do surrogacy agencies consider generous enough to reimburse surrogate mothers for the priceless gift they give to others? Let’s find out.
How Much Do Surrogates Make?
The average compensation first-time surrogate mothers in the USA get is around $45,000. However, depending on factors like the mother’s geolocation, and previous experience with surrogacy, the amount can vary between $30,000 and $55,000.
While financial compensation should never be the primary motivation for someone to become a surrogate, there’s no denying that the monetary aspect can provide some added reassurance and support. After all, becoming a surrogate is an extraordinary commitment that involves significant physical and emotional challenges but can also impact the mother financially.
Expenses like medical and prenatal care, legal fees, insurance coverage, and maternity clothing are all extra expenditures for the mother, though they are all typically covered by the surrogacy compensation offered by most agencies.
So, in addition to being paid for “the job” of helping intended parents fulfill their dreams of parenthood, surrogate mothers often receive compensation that helps alleviate the financial burdens associated with the surrogacy process.
Surrogacy Compensation Breakdown
The compensation for surrogacy can be broken down into three main components:
- Base pay – Which serves as the foundation of the surrogate’s compensation and is a fixed amount that acknowledges the surrogate’s time, effort, and dedication throughout the pregnancy.
- Benefits and stipends – Additional cash payments or reimbursements that provide support during the pregnancy. Includes paying for daily expenses, maternity clothes, transportation, compensation for lost wages, child care, etc.
- Healthcare coverage – Ensures that the surrogate mother receives comprehensive medical care and coverage during the entire surrogacy process.
That being said, not every mother gets the same surrogate payment, and some women get paid more than others. Depending on their location, previous surrogacy experience, legal and medical requirements, health insurance coverage, as well as the preferences of the intended parents, different surrogates get different agency arrangements.
Of course, the general complexity of the entire surrogacy process can lead to variations in compensation. Additional factors like the possibility of bearing twins or triplets, the need for a Cesarean section, and other medical considerations can lead to additional payments towards the surrogate.
Here is a brief example of a surrogate compensation plan potential surrogates can expect to receive with the average surrogate pay:
| Payment Component | Compensation Amount | Description |
| Surrogate base pay | Around $45,000 for first-time surrogates;Up to $85,000 for experienced surrogates in some states | A fixed amount that acts as a salary, or reward for the surrogate’s commitment |
| Monthly living allowance | Between $250 and $300 per month, during and a few months after the pregnancy | A monthly reimbursement to cover pregnancy costs, including transportation, meals, childcare, vitamins, etc |
| Wellness package | Around $1,250 | Budget for the costs of the well-being of the mother and the baby, including prenatal exercise and nutrition classes, massages, etc |
| Start medications fee | Around $500 | Payment for fertility treatment |
| Mock cycle fee | Between $350 and $500 | Payment for mock cycle (if necessary) |
| Embryo transfer fee | Between $1,000 and $1,500 | Payment for an embryo transfer procedure |
| C-section fee | Up to $3,000 | Payment for a C-section (if necessary) |
| Maternity clothes | Between $800 and $1,000 | Budget for the purchase of clothes suitable for maternity |
| Health insurance premiums | The actual cost of the premium | Reimbursement for the premium is provided if the mother has a surrogate-friendly policy |
| Multiple pregnancy fee | Up to $10,000 for twins and $20,000 for triplets | Additional payment for bearing multiple babies |
Please note that this is just a hypothetical example, and all agencies have different compensation plans with varying terminologies for the components involved in them. Some agencies like to break down compensation into distinct categories, while others opt for a more consolidated approach and include everything in one comprehensive payment.
This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation among potential surrogates, so it is up to them to find out exactly how much they are getting, and is the advertised amount just the base surrogate mother pay or does it encompass all additional components.
Surrogate Compensation by State
As we mentioned earlier, the geographical location of the surrogate mother can play a major role in determining surrogate compensation. Put simply, the payment equally qualified surrogate mothers receive can vary significantly solely based on the state or region in which they reside.
This is because the economic, legal, and societal contexts of surrogacy are different across different states. Factors like the cost of living, the local demand for surrogacy, the legal regulations, the cultural perceptions, and the availability of medical facilities within the state, all have an impact on how much surrogates are paid.
Because of their supportive legal frameworks and high demand for surrogates, some states are considered surrogate-friendly and offer notably higher compensation for surrogacy than others.
Surrogacy-Friendly States
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
California is widely known as the best state for surrogacy, and its local agencies typically offer compensation plans that are hard to match in other states. For example, some Californian agencies offer up to $72,000 for first-time and up to $92,000 for experienced surrogate mothers.
States Where Compensated Surrogacy Is Prohibited
- Louisiana
- Nebraska
- Michigan
These three states are out of the question, as getting paid for surrogacy is not legally permitted there.
Not Surrogacy-Friendly States
- Arizona
- Indiana
- Tennessee
- Virginia
In these four states, compensated surrogacy is not outright illegal, but there are significant legal hurdles and restrictions that make the surrogacy process more challenging and less favorable for all parties involved, which, of course, affects surrogacy pay.
In the remaining 33 states, compensated surrogacy is legal, but none of them stands out as significantly more generous toward surrogates, and the compensations offered are average.
Repeat Surrogacy Pay
Experience as a surrogate mother is another massive factor that can highly affect surrogate compensation. Both agencies and intended parents are willing to pay extra money to get someone they view as more reliable on board.
Experienced surrogates are in high demand because of their familiarity with the process and because they have already demonstrated their commitment, reliability, and understanding of what exactly it takes to be a surrogate mother. These qualities strike confidence that the surrogacy process will be smooth and successful.
For this reason, the surrogacy compensation for repeated surrogates can reach up to tens of thousands of dollars more than the average surrogate pay for first-timers.
Becoming a Surrogate Mother
Becoming a surrogate mother is an experience that offers much more than financial gain. While compensation can be appealing, the true reward lies in the profound impact on families longing for children. Helping them fulfill their dreams and bringing happiness to their lives is immeasurable.
Remember to exercise caution when looking for the highest paying surrogacy agency, as some may misrepresent their compensation plans. Many agencies advertise an attractive figure as base pay, but in reality, it encompasses benefits, stipends, and insurance coverage.
Becoming a surrogate is a life-altering decision that deserves careful consideration. So, take your time when embarking on this path and request comprehensive written details of the process. Examine everything closely and ensure you’re fully informed before committing.
FAQs
Do you get paid to be a surrogate?
Depending on the surrogacy arrangement, some surrogates choose to be gestational carriers without compensation, while others enter into compensated surrogacy arrangements where they receive financial compensation for their time, effort, and commitment.
How old do you have to be to be a surrogate?
Potential surrogates must be over 21, and depending on agency policy and the preferences of the intended parents, there might be an upper limit at around 40 or 45 years old.
Do surrogates get paid if they miscarry?
Surrogates receive compensation in stages, tied to pregnancy milestones. In the event of a miscarriage, the compensation received up to that point is retained by the surrogate, reflecting the completed stages of the surrogacy process.
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